[2] The cause is unknown, but the condition is entirely benign (importantly, it does not represent oral cancer), and there is no curative treatment.

The depapillated areas are usually well-demarcated,[4] and bordered by a slightly raised, white, yellow or grey, serpiginous (snaking) peripheral zone.

[9] There are usually no symptoms other than the unusual appearance of the tongue, but in some cases persons may experience pain or burning, e.g. when eating hot, acidic, spicy or other kinds of foods (e.g. cheese, tomatoes, fruit).

Some suggest that hormonal factors may be involved,[2] because one reported case in a female appeared to vary in severity in correlation with oral contraceptive use.

Oral candidiasis and caries are commonly reported in patients with GT, however this can be explained by saliva of a lower pH which will promote the cariogenic process.

GT is a keratotic lesion which can be described as a round or irregular shaped white plaque, cannot be scraped off and is normally self-resolving.

The differential diagnosis includes oral lichen planus,[11] erythematous candidiasis,[11] leukoplakia,[11] lupus erythematosus,[10] glossitis,[10] and chemical burns.

Beside the differences in locations of presentation inside the oral cavity and prevalence among the general population, in all other aspects of clinical significance, symptoms, treatment, and histopathologic appearance, these two forms are identical.

[10] Geographic tongue (GT), also termed benign migratory glossitis, usually presents without symptoms, and due to a lack of reliable evidence researchers can not identify a specific treatment for the condition.

Research has not shown high levels of evidence for the treatment of symptomatic GT and larger study sizes are needed to come to a reliable recommendation.

[9] Geographic tongue is a common condition, affecting 2-3% of the adult general population,[1] although other sources report a prevalence of up to 14%.

[22] Many articles including case reports, case-series and cross-sectional studies have been done since the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19, causing a global pandemic.

These studies have shown that approximately 20% of people with COVID-19 can present with mucosal manifestations in their oral cavities, including geographic tongue.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to be an important biomarker in people with COVID-19 in relation to a cytokine storm where too many inflammatory cells which have a detrimental effect on organ systems throughout the body.

Geographic tongue is associated with elevated levels of IL-6, which possibly helps explain the presentation in confirmed COVID-19 cases.